Nyah Zhang

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Nyah Zhang

Biography: Nyah Zhang is a second-generation Asian American student from Los Angeles County. She graduated from Glen A. Wilson High School and proceeded to attend UCLA. She is currently pursuing majors in Business Economics and Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics (MIMG). During her time at UCLA, she has been involved in many different student organizations such as the Undergraduate Science Journal, Collaboration in Undergraduate Research Enrichment (CURE), and College Corps. During her free time, she enjoys reading, building her skincare collection, and exploring new coffee shops.  

 

Future Plans: Nyah is currently interested in exploring the intersections between business and healthcare to better understand how the system functions at different levels in order to be able to contribute in the future to creating a better healthcare infrastructure. She plans to graduate Spring 2025 and will be taking a gap year to gain first-hand experience in clinical research. In the long run, she aims to apply to medical school and continue her education.  

 

What this scholarship means to me: I am extremely honored to have been awarded this scholarship. This scholarship will help relieve some of the financial burden I have in terms of paying for my education. I am extremely grateful to Patricia and Harry L. Bruce for taking a small load off of my back. I am bound to a very long path of schooling and education, filled with worries of student loans and debt. This reward means so much to me and gives me the freedom to continue to strive for excellence and reach for my dreams in this last year at UCLA. This recognition for my efforts will continue to motivate me through my journey and adventures at UCLA and beyond. 

Celine Tambrin

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Celine Tambrin

Biography: Zoe is a junior majoring in Business Economics with double minors in Statistics & Data Science and Public Affairs. Her interests lie in economic and strategy consulting, where she aims to apply economic theory and data to practical and impactful applications, particularly in influencing decisions within regulatory environments. This passion has led her to join International Bruins in Business (IBB), a consulting club that provides clients with business solutions, where she will be serving as Co-President in the upcoming year. Professionally, she has gained experience in finance and business strategy through her past internships in the Corporate Banking and Corporate Finance divisions of investment and commercial banks, as well as at a few startups. 

 

Future Plans: This summer, Zoe will be joining a global strategy firm in their financial services division as a Policy & Investment Analyst Intern in Washington, D.C. In this position, she hopes to help investors navigate regulatory landscapes by exploring how policy affects investments in different industries. After graduation, she plans to work in economic consulting for a few years to gain practical experience before potentially pursuing a Ph.D. in economics and contributing to the field of microeconomic research.  

 

What this scholarship means to me: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence and Joan E. Anderson for their generous support and to the Department of Economics Awards Committee for this incredible recognition. It is a great honor to be chosen as a recipient of this scholarship, and I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity it provides. This award serves as a reminder of the importance of intellectual curiosity and the drive to make a tangible impact on the world. I am eager to use the skills and knowledge I gain through my education to contribute positively to the UCLA community and beyond.  

Yiyang Sun

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Yiyang Sun

Biography: Yiyang Sun is a third-year student double-majoring in Business Economics and Statistics and Data Science. He is an international student from Jinan, China. During his three years at UCLA, Yiyang has been participating in many campus organizations and activities. He was a member of the UCLA Esports Team, where he competed in Hearthstone Collegiate Championships alongside with his two other amazing teammates. He is also a member of the Chinese Bruins Union at UCLA, which is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive, accessible community for other Chinese international students on campus. In his free time, Yiyang enjoys watching movies, swimming, and playing boardgames with his friends. 

 

Future Plans: As a Business Economics/Statistics double major, Yiyang is interested in the data-analytical and statistical side of the financial market and would like to combine the strengths of his fields of study in his future career path. After graduating from UCLA, Yiyang plans to pursue a Master of Financial Engineering degree, which he is currently preparing for. From there, he hopes to enter the quantitative finance and investment field afterwards. Yiyang also plans to start taking the CFA exams before graduation and hopes to become a licensed CFA to aid his professional development. 

 

What this scholarship means to me: I am greatly honored and grateful to receive the Donald Lipschutz Scholarship reward for the 2024 – 2025 academic year. I cannot emphasize how important and inspiring this scholarship is to me. It will undoubtfully help to alleviate my financial burden and allow me to better focus on my academics and personal growth. Beyond the financial support, it is such a strong motivation and gives me confidence to continuously strive for academic success afterwards. It also shows me what it means to be connected with the Bruin community across generations and inspires me to contribute back to the community whenever I can. I would like to express my gratitude to the donors for their benevolent generosity. 

Avarinth Ruppa

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Avarinth Ruppa

Biography: Aravinth Ruppa, a second-year undergraduate student from the central coast of
California, is currently majoring in economics with a pre-medicine focus. He intends to pursue a double major in microbiology, immunology & molecular genetics. He plans to blend his unique background in economics and medicine to bring about positive impact on the healthcare industry to improve access to care for all patients. Aravinth is also a 3rd degree black belt in Karate and has been practicing martial arts for the last 14 years. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and going to the beach. Aravinth looks forward to continuing to explore Los Angeles and try all the different types of food the city has to offer.

 

Future Plans: In the upcoming academic year, Aravinth will continue his translational research in the radiology department at the David Geffen School of Medicine, utilizing molecular and cellular biology techniques to investigate Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Aravinth will also continue his work with Consult Your Community to perform consulting services to healthcare startups in Los Angeles further exploring his interdisciplinary interests in business and healthcare. Following his undergraduate studies, Aravinth intends to further his education by pursuing an MD (Doctor of Medicine) and an MBA (Master of Business Administration) in a medical school dual degree program. Aravinth’s aspiration is to blend his interests in medicine and healthcare to initiate meaningful change and improve access to care for patients, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

 

What this scholarship means to me: I feel honored and so thankful to have been chosen for the Venu and Ana Kotamraju Endowed Scholarship. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Kotamraju for their incredible generosity, which has given me confidence to continue to seek opportunities to gain tools that I can use to make a positive impact. This scholarship not only alleviates financial burdens but also inspires me to continue to learn and grow. I am truly appreciative of the chance to pursue my educational goals with the assistance of this scholarship, and I am committed to making the most of this privilege to achieve my aspirations.

Steven Nie

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Steven Nie

Biography: Steven Nie is a rising senior majoring in Economics with plans to minor in accounting. Originally from San Francisco, he spent a few of his elementary school years in China, becoming disciplined and mature from his experience. Growing up, he found solace in the world of LEGOs, and would spend hours on end constructing intricate designs to fuel his imagination. In high school, he expanded his interests into tech, building custom computers for his friends and family. As college approached, Steven found a unique way to save up for his education. He would invest in LEGOs and sell them when they are discontinued. His side hustle ignited his passion for finance and led him to pursue Economics at UCLA.

 

Future Plans: In the upcoming summer, Steven will work as a tax intern at PwC. After the internship, he will study abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He plans to use the knowledge and skills he gained from these opportunities to pursue a career in financial advising or investment management.

 

What this scholarship means to me: It is a great honor to receive the Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship. Coming from a low-income family, I have witnessed firsthand the constant struggle to make ends meet. To fund my education, I am currently working two part-time jobs at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. Receiving this scholarship will take a significant financial burden off my plate and allow me to concentrate on my education and career goals. I am truly grateful to the donors and the Economics Department for this generous award.

Virginia Morrow

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Virginia Morrow

Biography: Virginia Morrow is a fourth-year student studying Business Economics. Originally from Minnetonka, Minnesota, she came to UCLA to challenge herself academically and learn from the best in the field. At UCLA, she has found a strong culture, rigorous coursework, and a remarkable community. Virginia takes great pride in her educational achievements, including earning the IB Diploma and placing on the UCLA Dean’s Honors List. She currently serves as a director on the board of the Undergraduate Business Society, and works in the Center for Impact at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. Outside of the classroom, Virginia loves performing in choir, visiting new places, and volunteering at the Geffen Playhouse. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and encouragement. 

 

Future Plans: Post-graduation, Virginia looks forward to applying her Business Economics degree in a career in finance. She hopes to use her education as a means to help others navigate complex financial systems. With internships in consulting at PwC and asset management at Goldman Sachs during her college career, she is eager to pursue a career at the intersection of interpersonal and technical skills, and is considering returning to school for a masters degree in the future. 

 

What this scholarship means to me: To be recognized for this academic achievement award is a great honor, and I am deeply grateful to the department as well as the Bruce family for selecting me as the 2024-25 recipient of the Patricia and Harry L. Bruce scholarship. The financial support of this generous gift will help cover the costs of tuition, and set me up for a strong path after graduation. I have gained so much during my time at UCLA, in the form of exceptional educational experiences, extracurriculars, and friendships, and to receive this prestigious award is a great point of pride. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to both the Bruce family and the Department of Economics for naming me for this honor. 

Grace Liu

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Grace Liu

Biography: Grace Liu was born in Jinan, China, and immigrated to the United States when she was nine months old. Growing up in Colorado, she developed a love for the outdoors, skiing and hiking. Her interest in business economics stemmed from her involvement in DECA and Student Senate in high school, as these experiences showed her the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in holistic problem-solving. 

At UCLA, Grace delved into consulting. Her involvement in Bruin Women in Business Club and 180 Degrees Consulting Club enabled her to apply the technical knowledge from her coursework in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Accounting to real-world scenarios in developing financial recommendations for businesses. What resonated with her was the opportunity to establish genuine connections and truly understand the intricacies of her clients’ financial situations. This led her to transition towards wealth management, where she is excited by the prospect of guiding individuals and families through their financial journeys. 

 

Future Plans: Grace is committed to contributing meaningfully to clients’ lives through strategic investment strategies and sustainable, ethical practices. She strives to pursue a career in wealth management and leverage her financial expertise to provide clients with sophisticated solutions for protecting and growing their wealth. Next summer, Grace will join Goldman Sachs as a Private Wealth Management Summer Analyst in the San Francisco office. Ultimately, she envisions herself succeeding as a seasoned wealth manager at Goldman Sachs. 

 

What this scholarship means to me: I aim to pursue a career in wealth management, leveraging my expertise in economics to optimize investment portfolios, mitigate risks, and maximize returns for clients. My family’s current situation, with my father in a transitional phase of employment, underscores the significance of financial assistance in alleviating the burden of educational expenses. Despite this circumstance, my dedication to academic pursuits remains unwavering, evidenced by my consistent academic performance and active engagement in extracurricular activities related to economics. The Donald Lipschutz Scholarship will not only provide crucial financial support but also enable me to continue my academic journey uninterrupted, ultimately empowering me to contribute meaningfully to the field of economics in the future. 

Bryzen Morales

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Bryzen Morales

Biography: Bryzen Enzo Morales is an undergraduate student at UCLA, pursuing three majors in Economics, Public Affairs, and Labor Studies. Before immigrating to the United States, he grew up in the Philippines, where he was exposed to social issues and social problems many Filipinos face in their daily life.  Additionally, as a son of former Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), he has always known that opportunities, through public policies, can shape life outcomes and economic mobility. His lived experiences have motivated him to be committed in pursuing extracurricular activities and projects that contributes to the greater social good. 

On campus, he is currently an undergraduate student researcher at the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge (CNK), a research center that specializes in empirical spatial analysis to inform timely, relevant, and action-oriented policy research on neighborhoods, low-income and minority communities, and immigrant enclaves. He was also an undergraduate community-engaged scholar who collaborated in a community-engaged research project with the LA Garment Workers Center (GWC) to assess the feasibility of a high-road garment industry here in LA by performing a product-market fit research for a staffing cooperative at GWC. Additionally, he was also an undergraduate research assistant for the Digital Equity and Anti-Oppression Lab, a research lab focusing on social determinants of mental health among minority communities. 

 

Future Plans: After graduation, Bryzen hopes to expand his research skills by applying to various public policy related pre-doctoral fellowship programs many universities offer across the U.S. In the future, he hopes to pursue a PhD in Public Policy and/or Public Administration, focusing on social policy and social intervention related to poverty and inequality, mobility, income support programs, and social safety net among marginalized communities. Ultimately, he hopes to become a research professor who will not just teach and produce research, but a professor that will advocate and translate to the public, in a national and international context, for a greater social impact. Ultimately, he hopes to use his PhD training to inform evidence-based policy that addresses social problems and social challenges the world faces.

 

What this scholarship means to me: I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Wark family as a scholarship recipient for this year. This scholarship truly alleviated my worry of covering my school expenses for this academic year. Nevertheless, this scholarship opportunity truly allowed me to focus on my academics, research, and community-engagement endeavors for my final year here in UCLA. This scholarship also means a lot to me as it signifies the Wark family’s confidence and trust in my ability to make a meaningful impact on the world. This scholarship is for my family, my friends, and my community who has shaped me the way I see the world. Padayon! (English Translation: Carry on!). 

Megan Monroe

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Megan Monroe

Biography: Megan Monroe is a second-year Business Economics student at UCLA with a deep-rooted passion for music and law. Driven by her love for both law and music, Megan aspires to combine these passions into a career as an entertainment lawyer. Megan recognizes the significance in understanding markets, consumer behavior, and supply chains and is focusing on developing a solid foundation in business and economics. 

Currently, Megan serves as the Business Affairs Manager at Cherry Pop Records, UCLA’s student-run label. Here she manages contracts and oversees artists’ analytics. Her dedication to both her studies and hands-on experience reflects her commitment to making a meaningful impact in the music industry. Through her involvement in Cherry Pop Records and her pursuit of a Music Industry Minor, Megan hopes to deepen her understanding of copyright law and musicology. Megan’s blend of academic knowledge, practical experience, and unwavering passion allows her to carve a unique path to the music industry.  

 

Future Plans: Megan plans to pursue a career in the music industry following the completion of their undergraduate degree in business/economics. Currently, Megan works with Cherry Pop Records as their business affairs manager and plans to use the knowledge and experience gained there to secure an internship with a major record label in the fall. Post-graduation, Megan plans to attend law school with a specialization in entertainment law. With a law degree she will be able to advocate for the rights of songwriters and producers within the music industry. Megan’s long-term career goal is to work as an in-house entertainment lawyer for a record label. She also plans on leveraging her expertise in economics to analyze streaming data, assess market trends, and contribute to the strategic decision-making processes for record labels.  

 

What this scholarship means to me: I am very honored and thankful to be a recipient of The Patricia and Harry L. Bruce Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship gives me both financial support and serves as a source of motivation to myself. With this support, I can devote my summer to furthering my education instead of having the pressure to find a job. This summer I am studying abroad in Spain where I will immerse myself in the culture and language there. This opportunity is important to me since I value exploring diverse cultures. Besides the financial relief this provides, it also shows me that my hard work and dedication is worthwhile. This scholarship reinforces that I have a community supporting me on my academic journey and want to see me succeed. I am very thankful for this scholarship and look forward to using it to advance both my educational and career aspirations. 

Urania Li

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Urania Li

Biography: Urania Li is a third-year student at UCLA, double majoring in Business Economics and Political Science with a concentration in Political Theory. Throughout her academic journey, she has gained substantial experience through internships in investment banking and startup incubators, where she developed strong financial analysis skills and business acumen. Additionally, her internships at law firms have provided her with a solid understanding of litigation settings, particularly with documents in the discovery phase. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Urania enjoys an active lifestyle. In her free time, she loves hiking, snorkeling, and watching TV shows. These activities provide a balance to her rigorous academic schedule and allow her to explore her interests and unwind.  

 

Future Plans: Urania Li has clear and ambitious plans for her future. She intends to gain valuable experience through a legal assistant internship with a small law firm focusing on business law, which will provide her with practical insights and skills in the legal field. This hands-on experience will be crucial as she prepares for her post-graduation journey. After completing her undergraduate studies, Urania plans to attend law school to further her education and deepen her understanding of business law. Her ultimate career goal is to become a lawyer specializing in international business law. With a passion for global commerce and justice, Urania aims to navigate the complexities of international legal systems and contribute to the resolution of cross-border business disputes. Her dedication to this path reflects her commitment to excellence and her desire to make a meaningful impact in the field of business. 

 

What this scholarship means to me: Receiving this scholarship will significantly alleviate my family’s financial burden and help me manage tuition and other expenses with less stress. With this support, I can focus more on my studies and have the opportunity to participate in meaningful extracurricular activities that will enrich my academic experience. This financial assistance provides me with the freedom to fully engage in my education and personal development without the constant worry of financial constraints. Beyond the financial relief, this scholarship holds profound personal significance. It is a validation of my hard work and dedication, reinforcing my belief in my potential to succeed. It motivates me to strive for excellence and to give back to the community that has supported me. Knowing that others believe in my future inspires me to work even harder, and I am deeply grateful for this vote of confidence.